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UNLICENSED ACTIVITY IN THE NEWS

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May, 2012

Guest Opinion: Unlicensed Activity Kills Jobs, Harms The Public

(www.News-Press.com) - 5/9/2012

Unlicensed Contractor Leaves Unfinished Work

(www.TBO.com) - 5/1/2012

A contractor, who is not registered with the state or Hillsborough County, has left a homeowner with an unfinished kitchen and bathroom.

Alfred Santiago, who has a business on North Himes Avenue, also has been charged four times for doing work without a license in Pinellas County. Alicia Williams thought she was getting a renovated kitchen and bathroom for her Hillsborough County townhouse when she gave Santiago a $2,390 down payment in November.

April, 2012

30 Arrested In Unlicensed Contractor Crackdown

(www.Local10.com) - 4/26/2012

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. - At least 30 unlicensed contractors got a big surprise when law enforcement officers jumped out of a room in an Oakland Park house and put them in cuffs. Among those arrested was Joe Puccio of Snake Out Plumbing, who detectives said has a long criminal history.

Ken Lawson: Unlicensed Activity Harms Consumers

(www.Sun-Sentinel.com) - 4/9/2012

Every day, Floridians with professional licenses go to work throughout the state. From contractors to cosmetologists and veterinarians to auctioneers, these and other professionals share a common link — each holds a state license. State licenses are important because they offer consumers and the public reassurance that the person holding that license meets the standard requirements for working in a specific field.

Guest: Unlicensed Contractors? Don't Take The Risk

(www.HeraldTribune.com) - 4/5/2012

Two recent, local incidents underscore the need for property owners to be aware of the dangers of using unlicensed contractors.

In one instance, an unlicensed contractor was charged with taking money for contracting work he never performed. He also faces other charges, including grand theft, fraud and exploitation of the elderly.

March, 2012

Unlicensed Contractor Allegedly Scams Elderly Customer

(www.Winknews.com) - 3/15/2012

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla.- The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has arrested 45-year-old Robert Grannan, of Englewood, for taking money for contracting work he never performed. Grannan, doing business as Florida Complete Air Services, charged an 85-year-old Venice woman $2,684 for a new 2 ½ ton 410a Heat Pump Unit that he never replaced.

February, 2012

Sting Nabs 14 Unlicensed Contractors Working In Manatee County

(www.Bradenton.com - 2/28/2012)

MANATEE Fourteen local laborers were charged in connection with an unlicensed contracting case earlier this month, according to Manatee County officials. Manatee County sheriff’s deputies arrested the suspects Feb. 15-16, saying they were attempting contract work without proper licenses.

Unlicensed Activity A Threat To Florida Consumers

(www.TBO.com - 2/20/2012)

Every day, Floridians with professional licenses go to work to serve customers throughout the state. From general contractors to cosmetologists and veterinarians to auctioneers, these and many other professionals share a common link — each holds a state license certifying his or her ability to provide a unique skill or service.

Licensesing Sting Nets Three Arrests

(www.TBO.com - 2/13/2012)

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Three people have been arrested in a sting operation aimed at cracking down on unlicensed building contractors, Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said Friday. Pasco deputies conducted the sting with assistance from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Juan Luis Acosta, 28, of 8131 Dedham Drive, Port Richey, was charged with scheme to defraud and falsely identifying himself as a contractor. He was booked into the Land O' Lakes Jail with bail set at $10,000.

January, 2012

Unlicensed Contractor Sting Ends In 9 Arrests

(HernandoToday.com - 1/28/2012)

BROOKSVILLE -- A comprehensive investigation undertaken by several local agencies resulted in the arrests of nine suspected unlicensed contractors in Hernando County. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office Economic Crimes Detectives, together with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Hernando County Building Department and the Brooksville City Building Officials, conducted the sting.

Gypsy Scam Artist Target Polk County Elderly

(WFTV.com - 1/14/2012)

POLK COUNTY, Fla. -- A Lake County tip launched a Polk County undercover operation that detectives said caught five gypsies who were targeting elderly victims. The suspects each tried to charge an elderly woman working with deputies hundreds of dollars for roof repairs that she didn't need. The suspects are now facing charges ranging from exploiting the elderly to grand theft.

Suspects Busted in "Travelers" Undercover Operation

(West Orlando News.com -1/14/2012)

Five men, members of a nomadic community, have been arrested charged with various crimes, including exploitation of the elderly, burglary, grand theft and workers compensation fraud, Polk County deputies said.

Use Free App To Check Roofer, Contractor License On Your iPhone or Android

(Sun Sentinel.com - 1/11/2012)

The next time an unlicensed roofer or plumber knocks on your door, reach into your pocket and grab a smartphone instead of your wallet.

Lots of people are looking for work, including unlicensed workers who may end up at your doorstep offering a bargain. Unfortunately, it is against the law – not to mention a financial and health risk – to hire someone who is not properly registered with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

November, 2011

Unlicensed Contracting Scams A Growing Problem in Hernando, Say Deputies

(BayNews9.com 11/15/2011)

BROOKSVILLE -- The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office says unlicensed contractors scamming people out of money is a growing problem and they’re cracking down. Three men have been arrested as part of a sting targeting unlicensed contractors. Three men have been arrested as part of a sting targeting unlicensed contractors.Dr. Gaurav Malhotra says he was scammed out of $23,000 when he hired what he thought was a legitimate contractor to make a sign for his new clinic.

September, 2011

Valrico Woman Gets Heat Pump Months After Payment

(TBO.com - 9/19/2011)

Rebecca Journey Smith of Valrico finally got the heat pump she paid for in May. Smith said she thought she was doing business with a licensed company when she hired Joel Chapa of Joey's Maintenance to install the heat pump and do duct work. She paid $5,800 of Chapa's $7,800 bill as a down payment. After the installation, she learned from a TECO energy audit that she did not get the heat pump. "I wasn't very happy to find out that I had not gotten the unit that I had ordered," Smith said.

Deputies: 10 Cited In Unlicensed Contractor Sting

(TBO.com - 9/9/2011)

Ten people have been cited in a crackdown on unlicensed contractors, authorities said today. The citations followed a two-day undercover sting by the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

August, 2011

Valrico Woman Upset With Work Of Air-Conditioning Company

(TBO.com - 8/31/2011)

Rebecca Journey-Smith of Valrico paid a company called Joey's Maintenance $5,800 as a down payment in May for a heat pump.

Joey's Maintenance was to replace Journey-Smith's old air-conditioning unit with a 3-ton heat pump and replace all ducts and grills, according to a company invoice. It included a 10-year warranty on all parts and a five-year warranty on labor. The cost: $7,800.

Unlicensed Contractors Busted in St. Cloud Sting

(Orlandosentinel.com -8/17/2011)

Eleven unlicensed contractors from across Central Florida were busted after traveling to St. Cloud to bid turning a home's second story into a mother-in-law suite, according to police and the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation The eleven men, including carpenters, plumbers and electricians, were contacted by investigators checking advertisements on Craig's List, the Yellow Pages and other print publications and internet sites, said Sgt. Denise Roberts.

St. Petersburg Roofer Arrested For Unlicensed Contracting and Grand Theft

(ABCactionnews.com - 8/5/2011)

ST. PETERSBURG - The day after a St. Petersburg roofer was arrested for grand theft and unlicensed contracting, consumer investigators warned that this is the season for roofing scams. "With hurricane season coming, you have a lot of contractors out there who may not be who they say they are," said Inlays County Consumer Investigator Doug Templeton. "People want to make sure their roof is sound before hurricane season. They need to be cautious."

April, 2011

Tampa Police Target Unlicensed Contractors

(TBO.com - 4/7/2011)

TAMPA - A Craigslist posting offered Nestor Ortez's services as an air conditioning contractor, authorities said, and on Wednesday he drove to a house off Nebraska Avenue prepared to install an AC unit. But Ortez isn't licensed, police said. He was one of four people ensnared by a sting operation that had undercover detectives posing as homeowners in order to put unlicensed AC contractors on ice.

February, 2011

Contractors Laud Clamp Down

(Keynews.com - 2/18/2011)

The fight against illegal contracting continues to heat up in courtrooms, but the Florida Keys Contractors Association is convinced the only solution is to stop it at the source: Your home.

January, 2011

9 Arrested In Charlotte County Unlicensed Contractors Sting

(News-press.com - 1/21/2011)

7:25 P.M. — Charlotte County Sheriff’s Economic Crimes Unit detectives, in a joint operation with Charlotte County Code Enforcement, concluded a two-day sting operation today in East Englewood with nine arrests. The operation was set up to identify unlicensed contractors and those contracting to work outside the scope of their license.

December, 2010

Out-of-Town Plumber Faces License Investigation

(Keynews.com - 12/22/2010)

KEY LARGO -- A Lee County plumber who has connected hundreds of homes to the Key Largo central sewer is under investigation by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for failing to report his full criminal history.

Bonita Springs Cracks Down On Unlicensed Contractors

(Fox4now.com - 12/16/2010)

Bonita Springs is cracking down on unlicensed contractors.

City officials say as more people snap up foreclosed houses, they're looking for workers to come in and fix them up. But officials and legit business owners warn you need to beware of people working without a license.

Sheriff's Office Looks To Stop Unlicensed Contractors

(Sun Sentinel.com - 12/15/2010)

Hoping to catch unlicensed contractors, the Tamarac Sheriff's Office set up shop at the corner of Commercial Boulevard and Rock Island Road on Nov. 17 and randomly pulled over commercial vehicles.

November, 2010

Warning Aimed at Unlicensed Contractors

(Keysnews.com - 11/26/2010)

One illegal contractor took a relatively minor fall last week, but the guilty verdict was a major indication to some that the State Attorney's Office was taking a serious stand against the practice. Michael Quintana was sentenced to five days in jail and a $500 fine, plus the substantial costs of the court case and investigation, for engaging in contracting without a license. Quintana was nabbe...

Tips for Choosing a Talent Representative

(SunSentinel.com - 11/26/2010)

Before signing up with a modeling or talent agency:

Do your research. Always check the company out with the Better Business Bureau. Confirm whether the agency is licensed with Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

SNN6: Special Report on Contractors

(Herald-Tribune.com - 11/12/2010)

Reporter Mia McCormick accompanies Sarasota County officials cracking down on unlicensed contractors.

Riverview Man Accused of Scamming Homeowner Out of Nearly $20,000

(Tampa Bay Online-TBO.com - 11/06/2010)

TAMPA - A man hired to build an addition on a West Tampa home never completed the work, scamming the homeowner out of nearly $20,000, police said Ben T. Jones, 47, of 13194 U.S. 301 S., Riverview, was arrested Thursday in a sting by construction fraud investigators with Tampa police. He was released hours later after posting $4,000 bail on two felony counts of acting in the capacity of a contractor without a license, records show.

Athlete Agents Problem is not Easy to Attack

(Orlando Sentinel - 11/04/2010)

TALLAHASSEE — Long before the University of North Carolina football program faced its own problems with sports agents, an agent-related scandal rocked Florida State and the college football world following the Seminoles national championship in 1993.

October, 2010

Sting Operation Nets Eight for Unlicensed Contract Work
(CBS Wink news NOW - 10/15/2010)

CAPE CORAL, Fla. - Officials with the City of Cape Coral’s Code Compliance Division and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation cited eight individuals for unlicensed contracting during a two-day sting operation this week. On October 13 -14, the agencies set up operations in a home in the southeast Cape and solicited a variety of contracting services. To provide these services, individuals had to have the appropriate contractor’s licenses issued by the State of Florida and City of Cape Coral, as well as a business tax receipt issued by the City.

September, 2010

Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sweeps Vero Beach for Unlicensed Electrical Contractors

(FloridaProfessionalLicense.com - 09/30/2010)

VERO BEACH—On September 16, 2010, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators conducted a sweep of Vero Beach for unlicensed electrical contactors. During the sweep, investigators visited 14 jobsites, checked 14 licenses and issued six cease and desist notices to unlicensed electrical contractors.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office “Sting” Unlicensed Contractors in Jacksonville

(FloridaProfessionalLicense.com - 09/29/2010)

JACKSONVILLE—Friday, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, completed a three-day sting called “Operation Hammerdown” targeting unlicensed contactors. Twenty-two unlicensed contractors were issued cease and deists notices by DBPR and notices to appear by JSO.

Pet Owners Accuse Lee County Veterinarian, Husband

(News-Press.com - 09/24/2010)

1:10 A.M. — Amy and Larry Gentsch are up against hundreds of pages of statements from angry customers who claim the couple harmed their pets or performed unnecessary procedures.

Thirteen Suspects Charged in Unlicensed Contracting Sting

(Baynews9.com - 09/24/2010)

ST. PETERSBURG -- Thirteen men were charged this week as part of a crackdown on unlicensed contractors.

13 Charged as Illegal Contractors in St. Petersburg Sting

(Tampa Bay Online-TBO.com - 09/24/2010)

ST. PETERSBURG - Authorities have identified 13 men they say were passing themselves off as contractors on the Internet, even though they didn't have the required licenses.

County Offers Tips for Working with Contractors

(Mysunoast.com - ABC 7 - 09/23/2010)

SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County Planning and Development Services has issued a warning about hiring unlicensed workers for home improvements, and offers tips to residents for protecting themselves.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sweeps Dade and Broward Counties for Unlicensed Talent Agents

(Insurancenewsnet.com - 09/13/2010)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Sept. 13 -The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation issued the following news release:

Dade and Broward Counties--Yesterday, Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Division of Regulation investigators conducted a sweep of Dade and Broward counties for unlicensed talent agents. During the sweep, investigators visited talent agencies to check for proper licensure and issued two citations and one cease and desist notice to unlicensed talent agents.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation Cites Unlicensed Contractors in North Palm Beach

(FloridaProfessionalLicense.com - 09/09/2010)

NORTH PALM BEACH—On September 2, 2010, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation investigators, in partnership with the North Palm Beach Building Department, cited five individuals for providing contracting services without a license. The department issued one citation and four cease and desist notices.

Tampa Area Police on the Hunt for Unlicensed Contractors

(St. Petersburg Times - 09/07/2010)

TAMPA — When the workers arrived one by one at a Tampa apartment last month, the man who answered the door asked if they could install some ceiling fans and change a water heater. He had found their ads on Craigslist and said he wanted bids.

Man Posing as Contractor Swindles Thousands from Tampa Family, Police Say

(St. Petersburg Times - 09/01/2010)

TAMPA — Living together was never the plan, but after Carol Papia's adult daughter was diagnosed with lupus five years ago and her husband fell ill, that's the way things had to be.

August, 2010

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation “Stings” Unlicensed Contractors in Key Largo

(FloridaProfessionalLicense.com - 08/26/2010)

Key Largo—On Aug. 23, it was announced that the Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Regulation partnered with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the county Code Compliance Office and the State Attorney for the 16th Judicial Circuit to execute a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of two individuals, John Bowen Jr. and Michael Quintana, for unlicensed contracting.

Seven Charged After Craigslist Contractor Sting

(Tampa Bay Online - 08/20/10)

TAMPA - A police sting aimed at illegal contractors has resulted in seven arrests. The operation was conducted by Tampa police and the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Checklist for Hiring a Roofer

(Palm Beach Post - 08/17/2010)

PALM BEACH COUNTY - Does the contractor have a state or Palm Beach County license? Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395 or myfloridalicense.com, or contact the Palm Beach County Contractors Certification office at (561) 233-5530 or pbcgov.com/pzb/contractors.

West Palm Roofing Leaves Long Trail of Lawsuits, Unpaid Bills, Misery

(Palm Beach Post - 08/14/2010)

PALM BEACH COUNTY - Roofer Gregory Haddox followed Hurricane Wilma to the tarp-covered homes of Palm Beach County. Soon after, in 2006, he was jailed because he had no license. Despite his guilty plea, Haddox has continued to operate, leaving a trail of lawsuits and angry homeowners and subcontractors in his wake.